Teaching in Higher Ed cover image

Teaching in Higher Ed

Classroom Assessment Techniques

Jan 23, 2025
Todd Zakrajsek, an expert in college teaching and author of "Classroom Assessment Techniques," explores pivotal strategies for engaging learners. He emphasizes the importance of understanding student anxieties around assessments, advocating for interactive methods to enhance comprehension. Zakrajsek highlights the balance between formative and summative assessments while sharing anecdotes from psychology classes. He also discusses fostering critical thinking, the necessity of meaningful assessments, and shares tools like virtual brainstorming to transform classroom dynamics.
52:45

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Classroom Assessment Techniques provide immediate feedback that helps instructors adapt their teaching methods to address students' misconceptions effectively.
  • Formative assessment empowers students by encouraging reflective practices and active learning, ultimately fostering greater ownership of their educational journey.

Deep dives

Classroom Assessment Techniques Explained

Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs) are strategies designed to evaluate student understanding in real time during the learning process. They enable instructors to gauge what students know and identify any misconceptions as they occur. For example, an instructor might ask students to summarize key concepts at the end of a lecture, allowing for immediate feedback on their grasp of the material. This mechanism not only helps to inform the teacher's instructional approach but also empowers students to recognize their own learning gaps.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner